Ahearn Educator Program
June and July 2022
Faculty of the School of Health Professions will lead four on-campus workshops and one virtual workshop for Texas high school STEM educators. These courses are designed to provide knowledge and activities that can be shared in Texas STEM classrooms. Program faculty from Cytogenetic Technology; Diagnostic Imaging-CT; Health Care Diversity, Disparties and Advocacy; Molecular Genetic Technology; Radiation Therapy and Radiologic Sciences will host session this summer.
Each educator who pariticpates in a live workshop will receive one CEC per hour (after verification of participation).
For more information
Dr. Rey Trevino
RATrevino1@mdanderson.edu
Eligibility and Registration
Live workshops are open for registration to all Texas STEM educators in private, public or charter high schools or home schools at the secondary level.
After successful registration and verification, educators will receive final confirmation of their acceptance.
Space is limited for each workshop, so please make sure you can attend the entire workshop of your choice. Participants will receive continuing education credit for their complete participation for all workshops. On-campus workshops include parking, lunch, and an award for complete participation.
Housing, lodging and other expenses are not covered and are the responsibility of the participant.
Identifying False Information: A Guide for Ahearn Workshop Educators
ONLINE June 14, 17
Facilitators Dr. Kevin Clark, Dr. Susan Lee, Dr. Claudia Tamara
ONLINE Workshop Tue and Fri 9-11 a.m.
Participants 30
Continuing Education Hours 10 with full participation
Abstract
We live in times where false information abounds, and it can be difficult to distinguish facts from opinions. Participants are introduced to the various types of false information, including misinformation, disinformation and fake news, and they will apply several methods to test information for validity and determine credibility. Participants will engage in active learning strategies, along with robust small and large group discussions, which can then be taken back to the classroom and used with their students. The workshop will consist of two days of virtual instruction, complemented with assignments in MD Anderson's learning management system. A lesson plan template, resource toolkit, and book are provided.
Educational Goals
1. Define the types of false information, including misinformation, disinformation, and fake news.
2. Discuss approaches to identify false information, including the SMELL test.
3. Distinguish facts from opinions.
4. Recognize fake news related to health care, the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine use.
5. Use the CRAAP or TRAAP criteria and other identified strategies to find credible sources and educate students on false information.
Sample Outline
Tuesday
A. Types of false information
B. Strategies to identify and evaluate false information
C. Facts v. Opnions
Friday
A. Conspiracy theories
B. Strategies to avoid false information
C. Additional resources
STEM Applications in Radiation Therapy
On-Campus June 29
Facilitator Sandra John-Baptiste
On-Campus Workshop Wed 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Participants 15
Includes Parking, lunch, $150*
Continuing Education Hours 8 with full participation
Abstract
The Radiation Therapy Program is offering a unique experiential learning opportunity in radiation oncology and STEM topics. Educators will receive hands-on experience in block fabrication, creating immobilization devices, radiation dose calculations and utilizing our immersive Vertual system in the simulated cancer treatment environment. They will return to the classroom with practical applications for STEM in health care, and will understand how algebra, geometry, chemistry and physics are applied to radiation therapy.
* Participants must attend the full day and submit a W9 form. Checks will be mailed after the workshop.
Educational Goals
1. Demonstrate real life application of STEM education in Radiation Therapy.
2. Demonstrate the application of algebra and geometry in simple radiation dose calculations.
3. Demonstrate the use of anatomy, physiology and geometry in patient set-up and treatment.
Sample Outline
A. Overview of Radiation Therapy
B. Simulations
C. Cerrobend block fabrication
D. Basic monitor unit calibrations
D. Demonstation of required knoweledge of anatomy and physiology in the treatment of lung, prostate, and breast cancer
Cytogenetics Grasshopper Workshop
On-Campus July 6
Facilitators Dr. Jun Gu and Dr. Sen Pathak
On-Campus Workshop Wed 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Participants 10
Includes Parking, lunch, $150*
Continuing Education Hours 8 with full participation
Abstract
The Cytogenetic Technology Program will provide an overview of Genetics/mitosis/meiosis using grasshoppers as an example. High school educators will sit with program instructors to dissect grasshoppers for chromosome preparation from cells at different stages of meiosis. They will be able to observe and discuss grasshopper genetics with the instructors and fellow high school educators using microscopes and digital imaging equipment. Human Genetics and Cytogenetics will be introduced using congenital genetic disorders and cancers as examples.
* Participants must attend the full day and submit a W9 form. Checks will be mailed after the workshop.
Educational Goals
1. To learn genetics of grasshopper using Cytogenetic preparation.
2. To discuss genetic diseases in both congenital and cancer area.
3. To visualize chromosomes at different stages of meiosis using microscope and digital imaging equipment.
Sample Outline
A. Classroom lecture
B. Laboratory demonstration and hands-on activities
C. Microscope and imaging activities
Cytogenetics: Hands-on with Chromosomes
On-Campus July 11, 14, 15
Facilitator Steven Sfamenos
On-Campus Workshop Mon 8 a.m-12 p.m.; Thu, Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Participants 15
Includes Parking, lunch, $450*
Continuing Education Hours 20 with full participation
Abstract
Join the Cytogenetic Technology training program for a three-day, hands-on workshop exploring the principles and practices of clinical cytogenetics. Participants will gain firsthand experience performing the very same laboratory techniques that are used in both oncology care and the diagnosis of constitutional genetic disorders. During this workshop, participants will have the unique opportunity to culture and harvest peripheral blood, prepare slides, and analyze their very own chromosomes under the microscope. In addition, participants will perform fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), an advanced and powerful technique that allows visualization of complex gene rearrangements. Upon completion, participants will receive a workshop certificate and basic training materials should they wish to share their experiences.
* Participants must attend all three days and submit a W9 form. Checks will be mailed after the workshop.
Educational Goals
1. Introduction to the field and profession: participants will gain an understanding of how cytogenetics is used in patient care as well as the importance of promoting visibility of all clinical laboratory professions/allied health.
2. Basic cytogenetic laboratory techniques: participants will gain a basic understanding of the techniques required to prepare and analyze human chromosomes as well as insight into the daily life of a clinical laboratory professional.
3. Microscopy and analysis: participants will demonstrate their understanding of the above principles by analyzing their own chromosome preparations under the microscope. Utilizing the industry-standard analysis software, participants will identify and organize their chromosomes into a karyogram that they can take with them.
Sample Outline
A. Blood draw and culturing
B. Blood culture harvesting
C. FISH
D G-banding slides
E. Microscopy
Bioinformatics: Retrieving meaningful biomedical information and
Analyzing Biodata
On-Campus July 12, 13
Facilitator Dr. Vibhuti Srivastava
On-Campus Workshop Tue, Wed 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Participants 15
Includes Parking, lunch, $300*
Continuing Education Hours 16 with full participation
Abstract
The human genome project led to the availability of openly accessible high-quality tools for understanding, comparing and manipulating genetic sequences. Thereupon the advances in next generation sequencing technology and personalized medicine initiatives have led to a vast explosion of genome data and with it the next generation of user-friendly, well annotated data portals which offer valuable tools to further our understanding of genomics and genetics. The participants of the two-day workshop will review the basic architecture of human genome and will be introduced to some of the bioinformatics tools for biomedical information retrieval and DNA sequence analyses.
* Participants must attend both days and submit a W9 form. Checks will be mailed after the workshop.
Educational Goals
1. Learn to Identify proper bioinformatics tools for retrieving reliable information and analyzing genomic data.
2. Be able to navigate sections of The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) data portal.
3. Use guided examples and simulated data to understand the principals of mutation and variation detection.
4. Learn the basic application of Mutation surveyor software to identify and detect mutation/s in example disease genome sequences.
5. Work through a preset module of informatics topics which can be implemented as a “No cost bioinformatics” module for the high school students.
Sample Outline
Module I: Utility of DNA variations in molecular diagnostics will be discussed using the public genome database and informatics. Participants will learn to navigate through the informatics tools available via National Center for Biotechnology Information to perform synchronous, hands-on, in silico DNA sequence analysis using Mutation Surveyor- a Softgenetics proprietary software.
Module II: In addition, the workshop will include a hands-on lesson plan for implementing a free of cost bioinformatics module for high school students. Participants will work through examples relevant to high school biology/pre-med track along with discussion and analytical questions on the content covered. All the material in module II will be made available to the participants as take-home instruction booklet. This material can be incorporated as an additional module/special topic/project in their programs at no additional cost.
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